Jesus axed by Aberdeen council
Plan to axe Christmas Nativity
Published:
ABERDEEN council officials want to scrap a city centre nativity scene – because they can only afford Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Aberdeen’s City Council’s plans for a hand-carved and painted nativity could be ditched because it was too costly.
And there could be further cuts to Christmas celebrations in Aberdeen with plans to dump a festive party for deprived and special needs children and street entertainment.
A report to the city’s resources management committee on Tuesday has recommended the cutbacks.
Some have been blamed on staff shortages in the events planning team rather than budget cuts.
Aberdeen council can afford three wooden figures – Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus – from its £10,000 budget. There is no cash for shepherds, and the three wise men.
Officers had been looking at prices from specialist carvers based in Italy.
A report to the committee said: “The cost of a carved and painted set to include Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus is approximately £8,500. It is not possible to get a full set for the available budget.”
The nativity scene would be the first set up in the city and officers believe it would be hard to find a suitable location for the scene without spending extra on additional security.
Officers are recommending to postpone the plans until 2009.
It is also proposed to scrap weekend street entertainers, including jugglers and a road train – which gives children a fun ride around the city centre.
The children’s party, due after the November 16 lights switch-on, could also be cut. More than 400 youngsters, including kids from deprived areas and special needs groups, normally attend the event.
Free panto tickets for community groups are also set to be taken off the winter programme.
Slashing the events would save £98,000.
Labour councillor Willie Young said: “It is a lot of money.
“It is a sad state of affairs when the council can’t even provide a decent Christmas for the people of Aberdeen.”
The main events for the Winter Festival, including a carol concert, Christmas lights switch-on and Hogmanay street party – are still due to take place.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “No decisions have yet been taken on the Winter Festival. A report on this year's events will be considered on Tuesday by the resources management committee, whose members will make decisions.”
Readers' Comments
The Evening Express is happy to encourage discussion and debate on the topics featured within our newspaper and on our website.
However, we would urge people to respect the opinions of others even if they do not agree with them. We will not tolerate abusive comments of any type and such posts will be removed with the people responsible facing a ban from this website.
Only registered users can supply comments, and your registered name and location will automatically be appended to any comment that you upload.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using a false name or pseudonym.